"The view of two earnest souls is always better than one."

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Forever listening

It is increasingly evident that each moment offers an abundant opportunity to listen. To listen to ourselves, to all that surrounds us, and to the collective unconscious. My intention in contributing to The Devo is to direct energy into creating safe, sacred space. Subsequently, when one visits the site, I hope they feel heard and/or seen. The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘devote’ as “to give all or a large part of one’s time or resources to (a person, activity, or cause)” Here I am, attempting to devote with you.

If everyone we encounter is walking around wanting to be seen, then who is seeing? What if our lack of mindfulness to each moment prevents us from being who we truly are? Is it not the case that when we feel heard we feel we are living our calling? Finally, in living our calling, do we feel as if God, the Divine, the Collective Unconscious hears us? The intention of these question is to give your Truest Self the permission to journey with me, right now.

O MY SERVANT! The best of men are they that earn a livelihood by their calling and spend upon themselves and upon their kindred for the love of God, the Lord of all worlds.–The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh

There are few sights sweeter than bearing witness to authentic self-expression in the workplace. I find great jubilation in connecting to individuals who, when at work, express their truest identity. It is as if they live life as a calling. I ask myself: what process led to this state? How can I get there?

I surround myself with anxiety as I explore my life’s work or calling, my vocation. I ache for Frederick Buechner’s idea of vocation, The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet. What I desire out of my life’s work is equal to (and just as important as) where the world most needs me, most needs us. Here is why: I believe God created us with certain capacities. To fully recognize those capacities, it is essential that we value our intentions and find our calling. From that inflection point, we live as God created us to be: authentic, whole, purposeful people. Therefore, live and be You. The Highest You. The Self that reflects the collective unconscious and the Divine. For, it is in your reflection of that great Existence, that your future path will become illumined. Therefore, Be You. Live. Now.

I ask that you reflect upon this and, in the spirit of detachment, free yourself from potential “mind”-fields. Shams-i-Tabrīzī, often noted as the poet Rumi’s spiritual teacher, put it like this:

Nothing should stand between yourself and God. Not imams, priests, rabbis, or any other custodians of moral or religious leadership. Not spiritual masters, not even your faith. Believe in your values and your rules, but never lord them over others. If you keep breaking other people’s hearts, whatever religious duty you perform is no good.Stay away from all sorts of idolatry, for they will blur your vision. Let God and only God be your guide. Learn the Truth, my friend, but be careful not to make a fetish out of your truths.

So I must ask:
Who is your guide?
What is your measuring stick?
What informs your values?
Where do you seek Mystery?
Why?